French highliner Nathan Paulin has redefined the boundaries of extreme sports through his high-altitude crossings, most notably performing on a slackline suspended between iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Mont-Saint-Michel. A specialist in the discipline of highlining—a variation of slacklining performed at significant heights—Paulin has spent over a decade navigating thin webbing stretched across expansive voids, a pursuit he began at the age of 17.
Paulin’s practice involves walking on a narrow, tensioned strap, often thousands of feet above the ground or water. While the physical requirements involve balance and core strength, he has frequently stated in interviews that the discipline is as much a psychological exercise as a physical one. Despite his public image as an athlete who thrives in the sky, Paulin has openly discussed his personal struggle with acrophobia, or a fear of heights, which he manages through focus and repetitive practice.
The Technical Demands of Highlining
Highlining differs from standard slacklining due to the environmental variables involved. According to industry records, practitioners use professional-grade webbing, typically made of polyester, nylon, or dyneema, which is anchored to fixed points on either side of a gap. The tension is adjusted to ensure stability, though the strap inherently oscillates as the athlete moves.
The safety protocols for these crossings are rigorous. Athletes like Paulin utilize a climbing harness connected to the line via a “leash” and a metal ring that slides along the webbing. This setup ensures that if the highliner loses their balance, they remain suspended beneath the line rather than falling. However, the psychological challenge of the “fall” remains a central component of the sport, as the athlete must trust the equipment while suspended in open space.
Notable Crossings and Cultural Impact
Paulin has gained global recognition for selecting locations that blend historical architecture with extreme athletic performance. His 2021 crossing at the Eiffel Tower, conducted as part of the French “Journées du Patrimoine” (Heritage Days), saw him walk a 600-meter line starting from the Trocadéro gardens to the second floor of the tower. The event was documented by international media outlets, highlighting the logistical complexity of rigging such a line in a densely populated urban environment.
Another significant performance occurred at the Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, where Paulin completed a crossing to the historic abbey. These projects often require months of coordination with local authorities, heritage conservationists, and safety engineers to ensure the structural integrity of the anchor points and the safety of the public below.
Managing the Fear of Heights
In various public appearances, Paulin has addressed the paradox of his career: an elite highliner who experiences the symptoms of vertigo. He describes his approach not as an absence of fear, but as a method of “taming” it. Through consistent exposure and deep breathing techniques, he attempts to remain present in the moment, focusing on the immediate physical sensation of the webbing beneath his feet rather than the scale of the void below.
This perspective has made him a figure of interest in both sports science and psychology circles. His ability to perform in high-stakes, high-visibility environments without succumbing to panic is often cited as a demonstration of extreme cognitive control. For Paulin, the line is a place of introspection, a sentiment he has shared in numerous features regarding his evolution from a curious teenager to a world-renowned record holder.
Looking Ahead
Paulin continues to seek out new locations for his crossings, balancing his high-profile urban projects with remote alpine expeditions. As he moves forward in his career, his work remains a focal point for the growth of highlining as a recognized sport. Fans and followers can monitor his upcoming projects through his official social media channels, where he typically announces the locations and dates of his next rigging operations.
